Respiratory Protection Guide
Introduction to Respiratory Protection
Respiratory protection is essential when working in an atmosphere contaminated by dust, vapours, fumes or gases. Many health and safety regulations place statutory demands on employers to ensure that the necessary level of protection is provided and used.
Unlike head or foot injuries, respiratory injuries are not readily apparent in the workplace. In some cases it may not be until after workers retire that symptoms occour. It is therefore important that all staff that are, or may be at risk have access to Respiratory Protective Equipment.
To help you meet Health & Safety Executive demands for personal protection, the SCAN respiratory range offers an extensive range of disposable masks and respirators.
The Hazards
|
Dust
Formed by the breaking down of solid materials, normally when materials are altered. For example, sanding, cutting, grinding and brushing. In general the smaller the dust particle the greater hazard that it represents. Fibres from materials should also be treated as dusts. |
|
Vapour
A gaseous state formed by evaporation from substances that are normally either solid or liquid at room temperature (e.g. petrol, methalated spirits), many industrial processes used in degreasing vapourise particularly quickly once heated. |
|
Fume
Formed by the vapourisation of a solid material by the application of intense heat. Extremely fine particles are formed as the fume cools and condenses. Many processes form fume; such as smelting, pouring metals and many welding applications. |
|
Mist
Formed by processes that involve atomisation (such as spraying, cleaning and cutting/grinding using coolants) and consist of tiny liquid droplets rather like steam in a bathroom. |
Disposable Mask Protection Levels
Understanding the protection levels of our masks will ensure you have the correct product for your working environment.
Each product will have 1 of 3 protection levels.
FFP1 NR
78% Filtering Efficiency
Particles larger than 5 microns
LOW TOXICITY
- General dust
- Water based spray
- Water based paint mist
FFP2 NR
92% Filtering Efficiency
Particles between 2 & 5 microns
LOW TO AVERAGE TOXICITY
- Sanding of softwood
- Hand sanding MDF
- Ceramic tile dust
- Cutting slabs
FFP3 NR
98% Filtering Efficiency
Particles less than 2 microns
HIGH TOXICITY
- Loft insulation
- Hardwood cutting
- MDF cutting
- Stone cutting
- Plastering
EN 149: Understanding the Standard
CONFORMS TO EN 149:2001 A1:2009
EN149 Filtering Face Piece for Particulates
Designed to cover the nose, mouth and chin. The construction is made of the filter material itself. To be disposed of after each period of work or 8 hour shift.
| EN Number | Filter / Class | Allowable Penetration | APF | NPF |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EN149 | FFP1 | 20% | 4 x OEL | 4 |
| FFP2 | 6% | 10 x OEL | 12 | |
| FFP3 | 1% | 20 x OEL | 50 |
APF - Assigned Protection Factor
Level of respiratory protection that can be expected to be achieved in the workplace by 95% of adequately trained
and supervised wearers using a properly fitted and functioning respiratory protective device.
OEL - Occupational Exposure Limit
The OEL is the 'Safety' line decided upon by the Health and Safety Executive.
NPF - Nominal Protection Factor
The potential maximum protection factor using the maximum percentage inward leakage permitted for a given standard
class of respiratory protective device, expressed as a ratio: 100% / % allowable inward leakage
EN 140 & EN 143: Half Mask Respirators
CONFORMS TO EN 140
The European standard that covers the technical specifications for half masks which cover the nose, mouth and chin. They have their face piece manufactured from natural or synthetic based rubber allowing the mask the flexibility to fit the contours of the face.
CONFORMS TO EN 143
Covers particle filters. These are classified according to their filtering efficiency P1, P2 and P3. P1 filters are intended for use against solid particles only, P2 and P3 filters are subdivided according to their ability to remove both solid and liquid particles or solid particles only.
Respiratory protection selection guide
This table has been designed to help you select the correct SCAN respirator for a selection of hazards that may be encountered in the occupational area. It should not be used as the only means of selecting a respirator and it does not relieve the employer/user of their duties as described by COSHH and other Health & Safety Executive Regulations. It does not in any way override any recommendations made in the required appropriate COSHH/Risk assessment.
Minimum Respiratory Requirement to be used Disposable Dust Masks (EN 149)
| Dust | Sanding | Fumes | Cutting | Vapour | |||||||||||||||||
| Filtration Level | Brick Dust | General Dust | Concrete Dust | Plaster Dust | MDF Dust-Hand Sanding | Ceramic Tile Dust | Loft Insulation | Wood Hand Sanding-Soft | Wood Hand Sanding-Hard | Ferrous Metal Fumes | Solvent Paint Vapour | Water Based Spray | Paint/Varnish Odours | MDF Cutting | Stone Cutting | Cutting Slabs | Masonry | Silica | Adhesives / Sealants | ||
| FFP1 |   |
78 % |
✔ | ✔ | |||||||||||||||||
| FFP1 Valve |
 |
✔ | ✔ | ||||||||||||||||||
| FFP2 |   | 92 % |
✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | |||||||||||||
| FFP2 Valve |
|
✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ||||||||||||||
| FPP2 Odour Valve |
 |
✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ||||||||||||
| FFP3 Valve |
 |
98 % |
✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | |||
| A1 Respirator |
 |
✔ | ✔ | ✔ | |||||||||||||||||
| P2 Respirator |
 |
✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ||||||||||||||
| P3 Respirator |
 |
✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ||||
FFP1 NR |
FFP2 NR |
FFP2 NR Odour |
FFP3 NR |
SCA PPECARTA1 |
SCA PPECARTP2 |
SCA PPECARTP3 |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Filtration Level (%) | 78 | 92 | 98 | ||||
| Dust | |||||||
| Brick Dust | ✔ | ✔ | |||||
| General Dust | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | |
| Concrete Dust | ✔ | ✔ | |||||
| Plaster Dust | ✔ | ✔ | |||||
| MDF Dust - Hand Sanding | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ||
| Ceramic Tile Dust | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ||
| Loft Insulation | ✔ | ✔ | |||||
| Sanding | |||||||
| Wood Hand Sanding - Soft | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ||
| Wood Hand Sanding - Hard | ✔ | ✔ | |||||
| Fumes | |||||||
| Welding Fumes | ✔ | ||||||
| Ferrous Metal Fumes | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ||||
| Solvent Paint Vapour (Brush App) | ✔ | ✔ | |||||
| Water Based Spray | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | |
| Paint / Varnish Odours | ✔ | ||||||
| Cutting | |||||||
| MDF Cuttting | ✔ | ✔ | |||||
| Stone Cutting | ✔ | ✔ | |||||
| Cutting Slabs | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ||
| Masonry | ✔ | ✔ | |||||
| Vapour | |||||||
| Silica | ✔ | ✔ | |||||
| Adhesives / Sealants | ✔ | ||||||
SCAPPEP2VDUR (2)
SCAPPEP3VDUR (2)